fundraiser companies: fundraiser companies use nonprofit advocacy to mobilize constituents

7/29/2019 Fundraiser Companies: Fundraiser Companies Use Nonprofit Advocacy to Mobilize Constituents

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Fundraiser Companies UseNonprofit Advocacy to Mobilize

Constituents


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Fundraiser Companies

Fundraiser companies have long used the power of advocacy to help advancenonprofit causes.

In the broadest sense, advocacy in the nonprofit world refers to citizensinfluencing public policy.

Through a wide range of activities, fundraiser companies help nonprofits achieve

universal social change in support of their missions.

The root of the word advocacy means to speak up, plead the case of someone,fight for a cause or come to the aid of someone.

Fundraiser companies want to influence outcomes that directly affect the people

served by the nonprofit.

Nonprofits advocate to different extents.

Advocacy may be the nature of the nonprofits work.

In other cases, nonprofits may advocate to achieve their mission.


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Advocacy vs. Lobbying Advocacy can take many forms. Often, its often confused with lobbying.

Although lobbyists do advocate, nonprofit advocacy does not involve lobbying.

To clarify, the Internal Revenue Service defines lobbying as an attempt toinfluence legislation at the local, state or federal level.

An example of lobbying would be direct or grassroots communication withlegislators or their staff about legislation.

The purpose of the communication is to influence a specific outcome.

Advocacy, on the other hand, would be conducting activities around a certain

issue and engaging voters in a nonpartisan manner to support legislation thatadvances the nonprofits cause.

Fundraiser companies can help nonprofits see the difference.

A 501(c)(3) organization can advocate for public policies they support.However, the IRS draws the line at advocating for specific legislation.


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Advocacy vs. Lobbying In these situations, advocacy becomes lobbying and is then subject to specific

rules and regulations.

The tax-exempt status of a nonprofit could be threatened by activities deemedlobbying by the IRS.

This is why many nonprofits have moved to incorporate both a c3 and a c4aspect of their brand when they wish to be directly involved in lobbying efforts.


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TYPES OF NONPROFIT ADVOCACY:

Community Advocacy

This form of advocacy focuses on changing public opinions and attitudes about acertain issue.

Typically, nonprofits conduct educational campaigns using a variety ofcommunication channels, including websites, direct mail, social media,broadcasting, print and more.

Fundraiser companies are especially adept at using the media to help get themessage out to the public through coverage in TV, radio, newspaper, magazine,press conferences and other editorial outlets.


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Legal Advocacy

Some nonprofits use lawsuits to achieve necessary reforms.

By using the court systems, nonprofits can protect rights and raise awareness of

an issue.

Legal advocacy provides an excellent venue for being heard.

Fundraiser companies can help nonprofits publicize court proceedings through avariety of channels.


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Legislative Advocacy

When change is needed for a federal, state or local law, school board policy orbudget allocation, nonprofits may use legislative advocacy to accomplish theirgoals.

Fundraiser companies can help with activities including legislative monitoring,committee testifying, organizing coalitions, writing position papers and more.


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Nonprofit advocacy boils down to successful communication andrelationship building.

Because change never happens overnight, advocacy is a lengthy

process.

Fundraiser companies help keep nonprofits on target with programs andactivities that achieve results.

However, success requires persuasiveness, perseverance and an

unwavering dedication to the nonprofits mission.


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About the Author

Edward Phillips, MBA, is Chief CreativeOfficer of IPM Advancement, a leading non

profit fundraising company.

Visit us athttp://www.ipmadvancement.com

or call 623-687-3908 for moreinformation aboutFundraiser Companies.
http://www.ipmadvancement.com/ipm-services-nonprofit-consulting/fundraiser-programs/http://www.ipmadvancement.com/ipm-services-nonprofit-consulting/fundraiser-programs/

fundraiser companies: fundraiser companies use nonprofit advocacy to mobilize constituents

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